Entangled fibrous web of eccentric bicomponent fibers and method of using

Abstract

The present invention provides a web of entangled synthetic fibers, wherein said fibers are eccentric bicomponent fibers. The present invention further provides a method of absorbing oil from foods by contacting a web of entangled, eccentric bicomponent fibers with oil-containing food prior to, during, or subsequent to preparation of such foods, especially but not limited to during or subsequent to cooking such foods wherein said web is exposed to temperatures at above about 120 C.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for absorbing oil, comprising contacting a web comprising entangled synthetic fibers with oil, said synthetic fibers being eccentric bicomponent fibers, and web having a top surface and a bottom surface, and further having a center region wherein: (a) said fibers are not thermally bonded to one another in said center region; or (b) if said fibers are thermally bonded to one another in said center region, said web is characterized by a gradient of thermal bonding through the thickness of the web with a higher degree of thermal bonding at the top and bottom surfaces relative to the center region. 
     
     
       2. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said web is applied to food prior to, during, or subsequent to cooking. 
     
     
       3. A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said web is exposed to temperatures of about 120 C or greater. 
     
     
       4. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said entangled fibers are entangled by needling or hydroentangling. 
     
     
       5. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said web has a density of about 100 mg/cm 3  or less. 
     
     
       6. A method as in  claim 5 , wherein said web comprises eccentric bicomponent fibers having fiber length of at least about 2 cm. 
     
     
       7. A method for absorbing oil, comprising contacting a web comprising entangled synthetic fibers with oil, said synthetic fibers being eccentric bicomponent fibers, wherein: (a) said web has an Ambient Temperature (22 C) Oil Absorbency of about 7 g/g, or greater, and a basis weight of from about 100 g/m 2  to about 500 g/m 2 ; and (b) said eccentric bicomponent fibers comprise a first, oleophilic component and a second component that is more hydrophilic than said first component and has a Tg or Tm of at least 120 C. 
     
     
       8. A method as in  claim 7 , wherein said web is applied to food prior to, during, or subsequent to cooking. 
     
     
       9. A method as in  claim 8 , wherein said web is exposed to temperatures of about 120 C or greater. 
     
     
       10. A method as in  claim 7 , wherein said entangled fibers are entangled by needling or hydroentangling. 
     
     
       11. A method as in  claim 7 , wherein said web has a density of about 100 mg/cm 3  or less. 
     
     
       12. A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said web comprises eccentric bicomponent fibers having fiber length of at least about 2 cm.